Odor eliminating items and methods of use for hunting

ABSTRACT

A regimen for hunting includes using a number of activated carbon-containing personal items in connection with a hunter&#39;s apparel and body to reduce the hunter&#39;s scent for improved hunting. The personal items include mouthwash, deodorant/antiperspirant, body and boot powder, bar and liquid soap for cleansing the body and hair, laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Each of the personal items includes an effective amount of activated carbon, so that use of the personal items reduces the available scent to be detected by animals in the wild.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to odor eliminating items andmethods of use, and in particular to personal items using activatedcarbon for use prior to or during hunting.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the prior art, the use of activated carbon or charcoal onhunting clothes or other hunting-related apparel for masking the scentof a hunter is known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,930 to Sesselmann disclosessuch an application. This patent incorporates activated charcoal as partof a hunter's clothing to absorb human odors and prevent such odors fromsignaling wild game of the presence of humans.

[0003] Activated charcoal is also used in compositions for controllingmalodors on human skin as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,067 to Lucaset al. In this patent, the composition may optionally containhydrophobic antimicrobials, zinc salts, activated carbon, etc. U.S. Pat.No. 5,861,144 to Peterson et al. discloses a moisture and odor absorbingpowder composition which may contain additional odor controlling agentssuch as zeolites, activated charcoal, sodium bicarbonate, antimicrobialagents, and antiperspirants.

[0004] However, a need still exists to further mask human odors duringhunting. In response to this need, the present invention utilizeseffective amounts of activated carbon to eliminate odors, particularlyodors from humans as part of a hunting regimen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is a first object of the present invention to provideeffective ways to mask human odors, especially for hunting.

[0006] A further object of the invention is an odor eliminating sprayhaving activated carbon as a component thereof.

[0007] Yet another object of the invention is a soap, either a liquidhair and body soap or a bar soap containing effective amounts ofactivated carbon.

[0008] One other object of the invention is a laundry detergent, eitherliquid or powder, containing activated carbon in amounts effective toremove odors during washing.

[0009] Still other objects of the invention are a boot or body powder, astick deodorant-antiperspirant, a mouthwash, or a dryer sheet or otherfabric, each containing effective amounts of activated carbon for odorcontrol.

[0010] One other object of the invention is the use of the items listedabove in conjunction with hunting apparel or a hunter, either alone orin combination. Certain items may be used prior to or during hunting.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as a description thereof proceeds.

[0012] In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, thepresent invention provides a regimen of treatment in preparation forhunting or during hunting. The regimen includes the use of one or morepersonal items as each relates to the hunter, and the use of a number ofother items for treating hunting apparel.

[0013] In one mode, the invention entails a method of preparing forhunting by applying a powder containing an amount of activated carbon upto 5.0% by weight to hunting apparel to be worn for hunting. The regimenalso includes washing hunting apparel in a powdered laundry detergentcontaining an amount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight or aliquid laundry detergent containing an amount of activated carbon up to10.0% by weight. As part of the washing step, dryer sheets could be usedduring machine drying, wherein the dryer sheet contains an amount ofactivated carbon up to 5.0% by weight. A liquid spray could be appliedto the hunting apparel, the spray containing an amount of activatedcarbon up to 5.0% by weight to the hunting apparel to be worn forhunting or being worn for hunting. One, two or all of the stepsdescribed above can be performed in preparation for hunting. Applicationof the spray or powder could also be done during hunting as needed.

[0014] In another mode, the method of preparing for hunting includesapplying a liquid spray or a powder, each containing an amount ofactivated carbon up to 5.0% by weight, to at least a portion of ahunter's body prior to or during hunting. All or a portion of thehunter's body can be washed with one of a liquid or a bar soap, theliquid soap containing an amount of activated carbon up to 3.0% byweight, and the bar soap containing an amount of activated carbon up to5.0% by weight. The hunter can use a mouthwash containing an amount ofactivated carbon up to 1.0% by weight, and apply a deodorant oranti-perspirant containing an amount of activated carbon up to 1.0% byweight. Any one or all of the steps relating to personal hygiene can beused. In addition, the personal hygiene steps can be combined with oneor more of the steps for treating the hunting apparel.

[0015] Preferably, for the personal hygiene items, the activated carbonamount ranges between 0.1 and 2.0% by weight for the liquid soap,between 0.1 and 4.0% by weight for the bar soap and the body powder, andbetween 0.1 and 0.5% by weight for deodorant or antiperspirant, andmouthwash.

[0016] When treating the apparel, the activated carbon preferably rangesbetween 0.1 and 4.0% for the liquid spray, the liquid laundry detergent,the dryer sheet, and the powder, and between 0.1 and 5.0% for thepowdered laundry detergent.

[0017] The invention also includes the items to be used for treating theapparel, namely, the powdered and liquid laundry detergent, the dryersheets, a powder such as a boot powder, and liquid spray. The inventionalso encompasses the personal hygiene items of the body powder, theliquid and bar soaps, the mouthwash, and the deodorant/anti-perspirant.These items have the activated carbon contents as shown above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In one aspect of the invention, a regime of preparation isemployed whereby a number of steps can be taken in preparation ofhunting that will reduce or mask the odor or scent of a person intendingto go hunting.

[0019] In a first aspect, one's clothes or skin could be sprayed with aliquid spray composition containing activated carbon for odor control.The base of the spray can be water with sodium carbonate or bicarbonateand/or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate. The activated carbon in thespray can range up to 5.0% by weight, more preferably between 0.1 and4.0%.

[0020] A second aspect would be to wash one's clothes using a liquid orpowder detergent containing activated carbon. When using a liquiddetergent, the base could be a conventional surfactant blend such ascoconut oil amide. The activated carbon in weight percent can range upto 5.0% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 4.0%. The powdered laundrydetergent can have a soda ash and sodium sulfate base, and can containup to 10.0% by weight activated carbon, preferably between 0.1 and 5.0%.

[0021] A third aspect of the regimen would be for a hunter to use amouthwash and/or a stick deodorant/antiperspirant prior to hunting. Themouthwash could employ water as a base and the activated carbon couldrange up to 1.0% by weight, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5%. Thedeodorant-antiperspirant can have a typical glycol base, and the amountof activated carbon can range up to 1.0% by weight, preferably between0.1 and 0.5%.

[0022] A fourth aspect would be to dust the hunter's footwear, e.g.,boots, and body with a powder. The powder can be a talc, sodiumbicarbonate, and corn starch combination, and the weight percentage ofactivated carbon can be up to 5.0%, preferably between 0.1 and 4.0%.

[0023] A fifth aspect involves washing the hunter's skin with bar soap,washing the hunter's hair with a liquid soap, and using dryer sheetswhen drying the hunter's clothes. The bar soap can be a typical tropicaloil base soap, and have a weight percentage of activated carbon of up to5.0%, preferably between 0.1 and 4.0%. The liquid soap can be either anammonium or sodium laurel sulfate or a coconut oil amide. The activatedcarbon weight percentage can be up to 3.0%, preferably between 0.1 and2.0%. The dryer sheets can be impregnated with up to 5.0% by weightactivated carbon, preferably between 0.1 and 4.0%.

[0024] One or a combination of the above steps can be employed as aprecursor to actual hunting, or during hunting. By using activatedcarbon in connection with the personal items such as soaps, mouthwashes,detergents, etc., less scent is available to alert animals that huntersare nearby. With less warning to the animals, more success in huntingcan be achieved.

[0025] Although activated carbon is disclosed, the carbon may be in theform of activated charcoal if desired. The charcoal amount selectedwould be based on the ranges of activated carbon as described above.

[0026] It should also be understood that the activated carbon could beemployed in the stated amounts in other known compositions for thevarious items disclosed herein. The import of the invention lies in theuse of activated carbon in the various items associated with the hunterand the hunter's apparel as a cumulative regimen to reduce human odorsor scents. Soaps, powders, mouthwashes, deodorants/anti-perspirants,dryer sheets or other fabrics, detergents (liquid or powdered), andsprays having bases other than those disclosed above could also bemodified with the effective amounts of activated carbon for scentreduction.

[0027] As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferredembodiments thereof which fulfills each and every one of the objects ofthe present invention as set forth above and provides new and improvedways to control emanation of human odors for hunting.

[0028] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations fromthe teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scopethereof. It is intended that the present invention only be limited bythe terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preparing for hunting comprising atleast one of: a) applying a powder containing an amount of activatedcarbon up to 5.0% by weight to hunting apparel to be worn for hunting;b) washing hunting apparel in a powdered laundry detergent containing anamount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight or a liquid laundrydetergent containing an amount of activated carbon up to 10.0% byweight; c) washing hunting apparel in a powdered laundry detergentcontaining an amount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight or aliquid laundry detergent containing an amount of activated carbon up to10.0% by weight, and then drying the washed apparel in the presence of adryer sheet containing an amount of activated carbon up to 5.0% byweight; or d) applying a liquid spray containing an amount of activatedcarbon up to 5.0% by weight to the hunting apparel to be worn forhunting.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising each of steps (a) and (b).3. The method of claim 1, comprising each of steps (a) and (c).
 4. Themethod of claim 1, comprising each of steps (b) and (d).
 5. The methodof claim 1, comprising each of steps (c) and (d).
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising at least one of: a) applying the liquid spray orthe powder to at least a portion of a hunter's body prior to or duringhunting; b) washing a portion of the hunter's body with one of a liquidor a bar soap, the liquid soap containing an amount of activated carbonup to 3.0% by weight, and the bar soap containing an amount of activatedcarbon up to 5.0% by weight; c) rinsing a mouth of the hunter with amouthwash containing an amount of activated carbon up to 1.0% by weight;or d) applying a deodorant or anti-perspirant containing an amount ofactivated carbon up to 1.0% by weight.
 7. The method of claim 6,comprising at least two of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 8. The method ofclaim 6, comprising at least three of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 9. Themethod of claim 6, comprising all of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 10. Amethod of preparing for hunting comprising at least one of: a) applyinga liquid spray or a powder, each containing an amount of activatedcarbon up to 5.0% by weight, to at least a portion of a hunter's bodyprior to or during hunting; b) washing a portion of the hunter's bodywith one of a liquid or a bar soap, the liquid soap containing an amountof activated carbon up to 3.0% by weight, and the bar soap containing anamount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight; c) rinsing a mouth ofthe hunter with a mouthwash containing an amount of activated carbon upto 1.0% by weight; or d) applying a deodorant or anti-perspirantcontaining an amount of activated carbon up to 1.0% by weight.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, comprising two of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 12. Themethod of claim 10, comprising three of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 13. Themethod of claim 10, comprising all of (a), (b), (c), and (d).
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the activated carbon ranges between 0.1 and4.0% for the liquid spray, the liquid laundry detergent, the dryersheet, and the powder, and between 0.1 and 5.0% for the powdered laundrydetergent.
 15. The method of claim 6, wherein the activated carbonranges between 0.1 and 2.0% for the liquid soap, between 0.1 and 4.0%for the bar soap and the powder, and between 0.1 and 0.5% for deodorantor antiperspirant, and mouthwash.
 16. The method of claim 10, whereinthe activated carbon ranges between 0.1 and 2.0% for the liquid soap,between 0.1 and 4.0% for the bar soap and the powder, and between 0.1and 0.5% for deodorant or antiperspirant, and mouthwash.
 17. A scenteliminating personal hygiene item selected from the group consisting ofmouthwash, bar soap, liquid soap, body powder, and deodorant orantiperspirant, wherein the mouthwash and deodorant or antiperspiranteach contain an amount of activated carbon up to 1.0% by weight, andeach of the bar soap, the body powder, and the liquid spray each containan amount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight.
 18. The item ofclaim 17, wherein the activated carbon amount ranges between 0.1 and2.0% by weight for the liquid soap, between 0.1 and 4.0% by weight forthe bar soap and the body powder, and between 0.1 and 0.5% by weight fordeodorant or antiperspirant, and mouthwash.
 19. A scent eliminating itemselected from the group consisting of a powdered laundry detergent, aliquid laundry detergent, a dryer sheet, a liquid spray, and a powder,each of the liquid laundry detergent, the powder, and the liquid spraycontaining an amount of activated carbon up to 5.0% by weight, and thepowdered laundry detergent containing an amount of activated carbon upto 10.0% by weight.
 20. The item of claim 19, wherein the activatedcarbon amount ranges between 0.1 and 4.0% for the liquid spray, theliquid laundry detergent, the dryer sheet, and the powder, and between0.1 and 5.0% for the powdered laundry detergent.